In the wake of a mass shooting at a Texas Walmart last weekend that killed 22 people, Walmart sent a memo to store managers ordering them to remove all video game signs and displays that depict violence.
Here’s the memo:
It seems like common sense to me, if there even is such a thing as common sense. Then again, I don’t understand video games that fetishize real-world combat. For me, a violent video game has to have a science fiction or a fantasy setting for me to enjoy it. I don’t like violent video games that depict the world as we know it. I don’t understand why someone would enjoy playing a video game that’s based on real weaponry in the same world we all live in. You mean I cannot kill wizards, orcs, or space zombies? Where’s the escapism in that?
When I play a video game where I’m expected to kill something, I want to kill xenomorphs or demons, not people born in the third-world.
Fans of video games that fetishize fake military weaponry and fake tactics are very angry at Walmart. They believe Walmart is attacking them. They believe Walmart is demonizing everything they hold dear.
Some are even calling for a boycott on Walmart. I hope they follow through with that stupid boycott. It would be nice to go to Walmart and not have to shop alongside people like that.
Doesn’t Walmart sell guns and ammunition?
It’s true Walmart sells guns, but not AR-15s, AK-47, or any other military-style weapons. The last time I looked, they only sell hunting-style rifles and a few shotguns. The worst thing Walmart sells is ammunition. We don’t have a gun problem in this country. We have an ammunition problem. Guns don’t kill people, bullets do. Want to stop gun deaths in this country? Ban the sale and possession of bullets, shotgun shells, and gun powder. If not an outright ban, then regulate the bejesus out of it.
Just because Walmart is ordering stores to remove signage that depicts violence, doesn’t mean they will stop there. I think it’s only a matter of time before Walmart joins other retailers and stops selling guns and ammo. It will happen eventually. They might as well do it sooner rather than later.
In conclusion
I think the memo is a moot point considering Walmart is not currently displaying signs for video games that glorify real-world violence. Right now Walmart is promoting Madden 20 with signs and displays. This new policy will not have any real effect until the next video game that glorifies real-world violence is released.
